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Weakened Merkel faces challenges in reshaping Europe: Experts
Haugue, Sep 26 (IANS) Weakened mainly because of a far-right surge in German federal election, Angela Merkel will face serious challenges in promoting deeper European integration with French President Emmanuel Macron, experts have said.
“Merkel has secured a fourth term as chancellor, but emerged weakened, facing difficult coalition talks and reduced chances to proceed with a compromising attitude towards Macron’s demands for a more integrated Europe,” Xinhua quoted Adriaan Schout, coordinator of European Union (EU) affairs at Clingendael, as saying on Monday.
European Union (EU) affairs at Clingendael is a Hague-based institute for international relations.
“Germany’s liberals, who are most likely to become coalition partners, have a critical attitude towards a more integrated European Union, making it difficult for Merkel to support such plans,” Schout noted.
In Sunday’s election, Merkel’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party along with its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) recorded its worst election result since after the Second World War, winning only 239 seats (33 per cent) in the 598-seat Bundestag, down from 311 seats, according to preliminary results.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) led by former European Parliament president Martin Schulz, came second, gaining around 21 per cent of the vote. But following the result, Schulz pledged to abandon the so-called “grand coalition” with the conservatives, which has governed Germany over eight of the past 12 years.
The anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) came third, gaining about 13 per cent of the vote, above what pre-election polls had predicted. It is the first time after World War II that a far-right party has entered the German parliament.
The result points to the direction of more internal tensions and more polarization within Germany, making it more difficult for Merkel to mesh with Macron’s demands for reforms to deepen the EU and the eurozone, explained Schout.
“The result of the German vote reduces the chances of major reforms as French President Macron has pledged,” said Zsolt Darvas, senior fellow at the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel.
The French president, who has pledged to bring about a “radical reform” of Europe, is expected to fully develop his ideas in a speech at Sorbonne University in Paris on Tuesday.
He has made calls for a eurozone budget that would finance investments and stabilize the European economy during crises, as well as a eurozone finance minister and parliament.
“Emmanuel Macron has a long list of reform ideas, but I’m afraid little progress will be made. The idea of a permanent Eurogroup president might be enhanced, but the position will not have the scope the French president has pledged,” said Darvas.
As far as the prospect of a eurozone budget, Darvas called it a “no-go idea.”
“Even before the elections, Merkel was sceptical about the idea of a common budget, referring only to the possibility of a small budget,” he said.
If the FDP becomes a coalition partner, it will be difficult for Merkel to realize such a move, said Darvas.
–IANS
qd/
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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